unOfficial Stanton Township Annual Minutes
2017 Stanton Township Annual Meeting
March 14, 2017
31186 40th Avenue Way
Cannon Falls, MN55009
Clerk Cheryle Peters called the meeting to order at 8:10 PM. (note: 18 signed the attendance roster.)
Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Goodhue County Sheriff, Scott McNurlin was present in the audience. Cheryle invited him to give an address. He introduced himself and thanked the audience for the opportunity to speak. He inquired briefly about the local deputies and their regular visits to township meetings. Sheriff McNurlin invited questions from the audience. He spoke briefly about some of the discussions at other township Annual meetings. Some discussion ensued regarding Planning and Zoning at the county level and growth, in general. Proximity to the Twin Cities Metro and the Rochester area was noted as a basis for some growth in the county. Statistically, transient crime is, also, associated with that growth.
Sheriff McNurlin informed the audience that beginning in April, new security measures will be implemented at the Court House/ Justice Center. The front lobby has been remodeled to accommodate body scans, and brief case and package scans. Contraband will be confiscated.
Sheriff McNurlin stated that issued permits to carry firearms were 163 in 2010. In 2016, they were 900. These were new applications and not renewals. The increased work load will likely require a new part time hire.
Sheriff McNurlin stated that Goodhue County has a contract with the Department of Corrections. The facility can accommodate 153 inmates. The Sheriff’s Department detains about 120 per day. Approximately 70 prisoners are the Department of Corrections’ prisoners. Goodhue County receives 1.2 million dollars for housing some of these prisoners, in the contract agreement.
Sheriff McNurlin reported that the patrols in the rural areas have not been increased in the past 20 years. The department would like to add 4 cars and 4 deputies to the force, adding one person per shift. This might require an additional $600,000 to the county budget.
Sheriff McNurlin briefly spoke about the Citizen’s Academy and the classic neighborhood watches. Neighborhood watches are limited in the rural areas due to the distances between homes; he stated that the principle is the same. Sheriff McNurlin stated that the department has a K-9 unit. The Sheriff briefly described two bills that are before the legislature for this year. The Sheriff invited the audience to call the department any time that they would like to express a need or have a suggestion. The Sheriff stated that the department could issue a ticket for right of way obstruction, in the township.
The clerk called for nominations for a moderator for the evening’s meeting.
Bob Benson nominated Dave Garner.
Gary Spielman seconded the motion.
The motion passed.
Minutes of 2016 Annual Meeting
Clerk Cheryle Peters read the minutes from the previous Annual Meeting, 2016.
Dave Pederson made a motion to approve the minutes of 2016. Steve Emery seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Dave Garner called for a motion to suspend reading of the details of “Checks and Deposits.”
Jeff Harty made a motion to suspend the reading of the details of “Checks and Deposits.”
Chuck Redemacher seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Road Report for the Year of 2016
Bob Benson, Board Chair offered the report. Chairman Benson began with the expenses: gravel was $57,000; sealcoating was $18,700; the amount remaining in the Penfield Fund, $6,556.08, was spent in that area for crack sealing. Equipment repairs were $13,588.00, mostly for repairs on the mower. Chloride payments were $13,175 less reimbursements totaling $3504.00, a net of $9,671. Tree trimming work was noted. Chairman Benson called for questions. Steve Emery asked if more spraying might be done. It was noted that Poison Ivy and Wild Parsnip is still prevalent in the ditches. Jeff Harty noted that the chloride treatment on 57th Avenue seemed to be thinly applied. Bob Benson replied that the township ordered the same application as in years past. Jeff Harty asked if the township might use some county bituminous reclamation products on 57th Avenue. He stated that 57th Avenue is affected negatively by Anderson Rock and Lime, Inc. Jack Schlichting inquired about snowmobile travel in the rights of way. Bob Benson affirmed that the state does allow for such travel. Dave Pederson made a motion to approve the Road Report. Ken Burns seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Reading of the Board of Audit Report for the year of 2016
Two different financial reports were reviewed. The mandated CTAS report Schedule 1 was read aloud. The reading of Schedule 9 was suspended. The Treasurer’s Report was posted on the bulletin board and was available in copy. Three questions were asked of the report. Gary Spielman asked where the $11, 633.96 shown as a “transfer in,”for the Building Fund, originated. Cheryle deferred to Mary. Chuck Rademacher asked if it cost $23,769.42 to maintain the “Purchase of Investments” shown. Rob Tate asked for the amount in the checking account. Chuck Rademacher asked where the Building Fund account was located. Mary informed him that the account was located at Merchants Bank. Garner informed the audience that Mary had been on the job for only two months. Dave assured the audience that some research would be done and the electorate informed. Gary Spielman encouraged the board to provide generously for trainings when available. Dave Garner noted that the township had been graced to find someone willing to accept the appointment in a late term vacancy situation.
Questions: Interaction Between Board and Citizens
Jack Schlichting complimented the voting signs that have been placed for direction to the polling place in Stanton Township. He, also, noted the lighting of the flag.
Building Project Report Ken Burns gave a brief history of the project and the Building Committee, giving the 2015 voter approved amount of $200,000, located on the new town hall site. Several meetings were held and equipment was inventoried. An architect donated his time and offered some professional drawings for the township’s use. Bids were requested in September, as drawn, with no bids submitted. Bids were requested in February, as drawn, with one bid submitted, $478,000. Both requests were for the machine shed and salt shed combined. Ken reported that the Building Committee had met and discussed a scaled back building with dimensions of 60 by 55 deep. He stated that Doug Morem of Goodue County will attend the next town board meeting to consult the township regarding building code and costs. Several budget options and information were offered. Some discussion ensued regarding cost. Steve Emery suggested contracting for all road work and not using township equipment or shelter. Some discussion ensued regarding township control of contracted road services. Jack Schlichting suggested sharing a facility with another township. Ken invited participation in the building committee process. He stated that the next meeting would take place February 21st at about 7:45pm, at the town hall. Dave Garner suggested a $300,000 limit with no financing. Danny Lundell made a motion to initiate the project with a $300,000 cap, no financing. Costs reduced when judged to be prudent. Chuck Rademacher seconded the motion. The motion passed 7-5.
Proposed Levy- For the Year 2018:
Board Treasurer, Mary Lundell, summarized some of the major expenses, receipts and the surprises. Ken Burns made a motion to levy $40,000 for the General Fund. Rob Tate seconded the motion. The motion passed. Bob Benson made a motion to levy $130,000 in the Road and Bridge Fund. Dave Pederson seconded the motion to levy $130,000 in the Road and Bridge Fund. The motion passed. Ken Burns made a motion to levy $10,000 for the Heavy Equipment Replacement Fund. Jack Schlichting seconded the motion. The motion passed. Jack Schlichting made a motion to levy $32,000 for the Fire Fund. Ken Burns seconded the motion. The motion passed. Dave Pederson made a motion to levy $28,000 for the Building Fund. Bob Benson seconded the motion. The motion passed. Mary summarized the total 2018 Stanton Township Levy as $240,000; no net change in the total.
Jack Schlichting made a motion to appoint the Beacon as the official newspaper. Ken Burns seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Jack Schlichting made a motion to appoint the town hall as the official posting place. Ken Burns seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Jack Schlichting made a motion to approve the next Annual Town Meeting, 8:10, at the town hall, March 13th, 2018. Ken Burns seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Call for the Election Results:
For Supervisor- Bob Benson 40
Write Ins- Shawn Klahr 1
Dave Garner 2
Robert Tate 1
Dean Anderson 1
Non Votes 5
Total Votes 50
For Treasurer- Mary Lundell 43
Write Ins Colleen Thompson 1
Craig Emery 1
Mickey Mouse 1
Non Votes 4
Total Votes 50
Sunday Liquor Sales 39 Yes
11 No
New Business:
Adjournment:
Bob Benson made a motion to adjourn. Jack Schlichting seconded the motion. The motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:50pm.
Dave Garner announced that the Board of Canvas would meet immediately to verify election counts. (Note: This is considered a paid board meeting.)
Respectfully Submitted______
Clerk, StantonTownship
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